Business Permits and Approvals

Food Handlers Training Programs

I'M ALERT is an interactive, online training programme that provides crucial skills and knowledge required to ensure safe food for your customers. This free online training resource helps businesses ensure their staff have the necessary knowledge. This resource developed by qualified and experienced Environmental Health professionals is equivalent in scope to a two-day consultant-delivered course and complies with obligations set out under the Food Safety Standards for Australia and New Zealand. Complete the training programme.

The City of Melville's environmental health officers regularly visit hairdressing and skin penetration businesses to ensure they are clean, well maintained and comply with the Hairdressing Establishments Regulations 1972 and the Health (Skin Penetration Procedure) Regulations 1998.

Hairdressers

Hairdressing businesses must notify the City that they are trading. To notify the City fill out the Application for Hairdressing Premises.

Beauty Treatment Premises

If your business is involved in any of the following treatments you must register your business with us.

Beauty Treatment businesses must notify the City that they are trading. To notify the City fill out the Application for Skin Penetration and Beauty Therapy Premises.

For more information on Skin Penetration Processes download the General Requirements for Operating a Skin Penetration Establishment Info Sheet or the Skin Penetration Code of Practice.

• Acupuncture
• Body or Ear piercing
• Electrolysis
• Tattooing
• Wax treatments.

Starting and Maintaining Your Food Business

When building a new food premise or making structural alterations to an existing food business you need to apply for approval from the Environmental Health by filling out the Approval to Construct or Alter a Food Business Application.

Prior to opening your business you will need to arrange for an inspection of the premises by an Environmental Health Officer to ensure all food is being stored, handled, cooked and served safely. If they are satisfied that the premise complies with the Food Act and the Food Safety Standards Code a certificate of registration will be issued to you allowing you to trade. How frequently officers visit will depend on the type of food you are serving, who your customers are and how high your food hygiene practises and records are.

For more information on opening a food business download the Guide to the Design, Construction and Fit Out of A Food Business info sheet or contact the Environmental Health Team to discuss your plans.

Operating a Food Business From Home

If you would like to open a food business you will need to complete a Notification/Registration of a Residential Food Business Application.

The Department of Health advises that only low risk food activities can be carried out from domestic premises.

Low risk food activities – includes the production of:

• Jams and marmalades
• Nougats, fudges, meringues and Turkish delights
• Cake decorating and repacking of bulk packaged low risk confectionery products
• Pickled onions
• Herb vinegars with a pH of less than 4.5
• Chutneys, relishes and sauces that are heat treated by boiling or cooking
• Spices and spice mixers such as Dry Curry Powder with ingredients being purchased from an approved food business

For more information on operating a food business at home read the Food Act 2008 Fact Sheet.

Fixed Food Business

If you would like to operate a 'Fixed Food Business', you will be required to fill out an Application for Notification/Registration of Food Business.

Below is a list of some types of fixed food businesses; for a more extensive list, please refer to the application form.

• Retailer
• Hotel/Motel/Guest house
• Supermarket
• Childcare Centre
• Restaurant/Café
• Pub/Tavern
• Storage
• Transport

Please note: if you are an existing food business who will be making structural alterations or layout changes, you will be required to lodge an application for Approval to Construct or Alter a Food Business Application. It is also a requirement to undertake a Foodsafe Program, I'm Alert Online Food Safety Training or other food handling training programs.

For further information, please contact the Environmental Health Team.

Food Premise Inspections

Environmental Health Officers routinely inspect Food Premises within the City of Melville, the frequency of assessment is determined by risk. Food Premises assessments are undertaken to ensure the premises complies with the Food Act 2008 and the Australian New Zealand Food Safety Standards.  The assessment looks primarily at food safety and hygiene practices and ensuring the food they are producing / selling is safe for consumption.  As part of the assessment we also make sure that the food proprietors meet their obligations in regards to Allergens.

See attached for further information in regards to Allergens.

Food Trucks, Mobile Food Businesses and Food Stalls

If your business is based outside of the City of Melville but you are intending to operate a mobile food business within the City, you will need to fill out a Notification/Registration of Temporary Food Business form. 

If you are thinking of starting up a new business as a mobile trader within Melville you will need to register with us as a Mobile or Temporary Food Business.

In addition you will need to submit an application under our local laws for a Traders Permit if trading as a mobile vehicle or from a specific location within the City. If you are attending an organised event, the event organiser will need to complete an application for a stall holder permit and include your business name on the application.

Scores on the Doors

The City operates a hygiene recognition scheme and awards businesses that meet and exceed food safety requirements with a star rating system out of five. Score on the Doors is free and those who agree to participate receive a certificate they can display informing customers how high their food hygiene is.

Businesses who meet the requirements of food safety legislation will receive a certificate with three stars and are categorised as good.

Businesses who exceed legal requirements will be awarded four or five star certificates and are categorised as very good or excellent.

Please refer to Scores on Doors - Participants to see which of your local businesses have already joined the scheme.

Applying for a Liquor Licence

If you wish to obtain a liquor licence for your food business, you will be required to submit the following to Environmental Health Services;

• Completed City of Melville Section 39 Application Form
• Completed page 2 of 2 - Certificate of Local Health Authority (section 39)
• Plans showing licensed area

PLEASE NOTE:

You will also be required to complete page 2 of 2 of the Certificate of Local Planning Authority (section 40) form and submit to the Planning Department via online services.

Apply for an alfresco dining permit and realise what outdoor dining could do for your business. Reap the profits from alfresco dining areas, with significantly reduced charges, a simplified application process and faster approval times and increase your seating capacity without increasing your overheads. Give your customers the opportunity to dine outside, enjoy the beautiful Perth weather or feast under the stars.

For fees and charges please refer to our Schedule of Fees and Charges 2019/2020; alternatively you can contact the Health Admin team via HealthAdmin@melville.wa.gov.au.

Businesses On Private Property

You don't need to apply for an Alfresco Dining Permit if the proposed area is located on private property.

If you are unsure visit the City's online maps and search your business address, if the proposed area is within the red boundary this is within the private property and no Alfresco Permit is required.

Always speak to your landlord or centre management to determine if an alfresco area is permitted. View our Alfresco Dining Conditions information sheet for further information.